Tours scheduled at Stillwater Wildlife Area about wetland enhancement proposal

2004 Archived News

Public tours Saturday, May 1, at the Stillwater Wildlife Area on the Snoqualmie River will describe a wetland enhancement proposal for the area and how it fits with long-range management plans for the area.

Wetland enhancement is one of three proposed discharge alternatives for the Carnation wastewater treatment facility. The King County Wastewater Treatment Division, state Department of Fish and Wildlife, and City of Carnation are sponsoring the tours.

Self-guided tour maps will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with experts available at key information stations. In addition, three guided tours will begin at 10:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and noon.

Participants are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, and enjoy the hiking and bird-watching opportunities. The walk to the mouth of Harris Creek is about half a mile. On-site tour transportation will be available.

The City of Carnation has determined that replacing individual septic tanks with a wastewater treatment plant is an important step toward the long-term viability of the city while protecting public health and water quality. The city has contracted with King County's Wastewater Treatment Division to design, build and operate facilities that include a treatment plant, conveyance pipe and discharge location.

Using highly treated water from the plant to enhance wetlands at the wildlife area is one of three discharge alternatives being considered. The other alternatives are a river outfall northwest of Carnation and an upland infiltration site southeast of Carnation.

The wetland enhancement discharge alternative fits a long-term goal of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, which manages the Stillwater Wildlife Area, to create more wetland habitat. The tours also provide an opportunity to learn more and comment on the department's future habitat alternatives for this area.

The wildlife area is on Carnation-Duvall Road Northeast (State Route 203) about two miles north of Carnation. From Carnation, take SR-203 north. After passing the Stillwater Store on the left, go about 800 feet and turn left into the south parking lot of the wildlife area. The usual parking permit requirement will be waived for this event. Refreshments will be available.

For more information about the Carnation project, call 206-296-8361, e-mail Jo Sullivan or check the project Web site. For reasonable tour accommodations for people with disabilities, call 206-296-8361 (voice) or 711 (TTY).

King County's Wastewater Treatment Division protects public health and water quality by serving 18 cities, 15 sewer districts and more than 1.4 million residents in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. The regional public utility has been preventing water pollution for nearly 40 years.